Putting guide device



April 30, 1957 A. T. ROLFE PUTTING GUIDE DEVICE Filed April 6, 1954 9 vlmm BM INVENTOR. Andrew T. Rolfe United States Patent PUTTING GUIDE DEVICE Andrew T. Rolfe, Westport, Conn.

Application April 6, 1954, Serial No. 421,295

2 Claims. (Cl. 273-187) The present invention relates to a device for use by golfers, and is directed to the provision of a device which will aid and train golfers to attain greater proficiency and lower scores in their game.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to the provision of a device for aiding and training a golfer to attain greater accuracy and skill in the making of putting strokes and approach shots by insuring, to a maximum extent his hitting the ball in the precise line of direction to the cup.

The present invention, therefore, contemplates the provision of a device of the character described which will eifectively guide a golfer to make his putting and approach strokes at a proper angle to the line of roll of the ball for successfully directing the ball into the cup.

The present invention also contemplates the provision of a device of the character described which will eifectively guide a golfer to the proper angle at which to swing his club relative to the line of roll for making approach shots to the cup at varying distances from the cup.

The present invention contemplates, additionally to provide a device of the character described which will guide a golfer to the proper stance for making his putting strokeswith maximum skill and accuracy.

'The present invention contemplates further the pro vision of a stroke guiding device for golfers which it is simple and easy to operate and use.

The present invention contemplates still further to provide a guiding device for golfers, of the character described which is compact and of light weight and, therefore, easy and convenient to carry about over the golf course and also easy and convenient to store and keep.

The present invention contemplates still further the provision of a guiding device for golfers, of the character described, which is of simple construction and economical to produce.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the guiding device for golfers contemplated by the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and from the description following.

It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible, and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan view of one embodiment of a putting stroke guide of the present invention particularly adapted for use in practice and training, including a stance guide and particularly adapted for use by a novice;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same.

The present invention is based on and guided by the principle that accuracy in putting a golf ball or in making an approach stroke is not attained by the swing or movement of the golf club to strike the ball along a line Patented Apr. 30, 1957 which is continuous with the direct line from the ball to the cup or with the line of roll of the ball to the cup when played on a slope; but, rather by a stroke or swing that is executed at an angle to such lines; the angle varying with the physical characteristics of the player, especially his height, and also, especially in approach shots, with the distance of the ball from the cup.

Accordingly, in its simplest form, the present invention embodies a device having means for indicating the line of roll of the ball from its position on the green to the cup; means associated with the line of roll indicator and angularly adjustable relative thereto for indicating the stroke or swing line, together with a gauge or scale for aiding the adjustment of the swing indicator for the individual player as well as for various distances of the ball from the cup.

In more elaborate form, the device of the present invention, particularly in a form intended for training and practice, especially for beginners, the device also includes adjustable means for indicating the players stance while making the putt; that is, for indicating the distance of the players feet from one another and from the ball for the most convenient and most effective making of the putt.

Referring now in greater detail to the stroke guiding device illustrated in the accompanying drawing, such device embodies the simpler form consisting of a pointing member or element suitable for placing on the ground to indicate or locate the line of roll of the ball from its place on or near the putting green to the cup. Such line of roll indicator may comprise an elongated, bar-like, flat element, 10, which may be made of any rigid material, such as wood, cardboard, plastic or metal sheet material, and may be formed with the arrow head, 11, at its forward or lead end. i

A strokev guiding member or element, 12, which, in a simpler form of the invention may be in the form of an elongated flat strip of material, as wood, cardboard,

metal or plastic, is pivoted by one end, as at 13, to the pointed or arrow head end 11 of the line of roll indicator 10, adjacent such end.

A fiat, preferably roughly triangular extension, 14, is provided along one edge of the line of roll indicator 10; such extension preferably widening away from the end 11 of the indicator and having a scale, 15, at its wider end, arranged in a direction approximately perpendicular to the line of roll indicator l0 and graduated preferably for distance from the cup, with the graduations for the shorter distances being closer to the indicator 10.

It may here be stated that, for practical purposes and ease and economy of manufacture, both, the indicator 10 and extension 14, may be integrally formed, from a single piece of material, as by die-cutting from cardboard or metal or by molding in plastic, with the indicator 10 being surfaced in a different, contrasting color than the extension 14.

In use, the guide is placed on the ground, with the arrow end ll adjacent the ball, 16, and the indicator 10 pointed along the line of roll of the ball 16 to the cup, 17. In putting shots, such line of roll is a straight line on level ground and an arc or curve on a slope. In the latter instance the indicator 10 is set to point along the initial general direction of the arc. The stroke guide 12 is then adjusted to have its free end overlie the graduation on scale 15 at which, as ascertained by experience, the golfer may most advantageously swing his club for accuracy, and the golfer then directs his stroke along the stroke guide 12. If desired or necessary, adjustment for length of the putt may be made. In approach shots, greater recognition of the distance from the green or cup is accorded and the adjustment is almost entirely according to distance.

The illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing includes a stance guide which, may, however, be eliminated, if desired, as it is optional and not essential to the main feature of the invention, the stroke guide.

Such stance guide may comprise a pair of bars, 20 and 21, respectively, each having a toe guide, 22 and 23,

respectively at one end, with the toe guide 22 of bar 20 being offset to a side, for a reason which will hereafter be explained.

The bars 20 and 21 are each provided with a longitudinally extending guide slot, 24 and 25, respectively, each terminating short of the ends of its respective bar. The bar 20 is adjustably secured in place on the indicator 10 by means of a bolt and nut assembly, 26; the bolt passing through a suitable opening in the indicator 10 adjacent its forward or headed end 11, and through the slot 24. The bar 21 is adjustably secured in place on the indicator 10, as by a similar bolt and nut assembly, 27;

the bolt of which passes through a longitudinally extending slot, 28, formed in the indicator 10, at a distance from its end 11, and through the slot 25 of such bar.

It will be clear that, by this arrangement, a players one foot, while he is making a putting shot at the proper angle as shown by the device, will be retained by the offset toe guide 22 of bar 20 at a point opposite the ball 16, where it must properly be placed for proper closed stance during putting, and at a properly adjusted distance from the line of flight to suit the individual players conveniece and maximum accuracy of stroke; and that the other foot will be guided into place by the toe guide 23 of the bar 21 in adjustable position both, relative to the line of flight and to the first foot, likewise for the players maximum convenience and ease of making an accurately controlled stroke.

This completes the description of the putting guide device of the present invention and the manner in which it may be used. It will be readily apparent that such device, either in its simple form, without the foot guide, or in its more complete form, including the foot guide, or stance guide, is simple and easy to use, highly eflicient and effective to aid as Well as to train a golfer to attain skill and accuracy in making putting shots at varying distances from the cup, as well as to make approach shots from short distances off the green.

It will likewise be apparent that the device of the present invention is relatively simple in construction and,

therefore, relatively economical to produce and assemble, and' that his of light weight andcompact'or readily'compactable for convenience in carrying and storing.

it will further be apparent that numerous variations and modifications in the putting guide device of the present invention may be made by any one skilled in the art, in accordance with the principles of the invention hereinabove set forth and. without the exercise of any inventive ingenuity. I desire, therefore, to be protected for any and all such variations and modifications that may be made within the spirit of. the present invention and the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What I claim is:

l. A golf swing guide device comprising a base formed of sheet material and adapted to lie in a fiatwise manner upon the ground, an elongated arrow formation outlined on and extending along one edge of said base, said elongated arrow formation having an enlarged arrow head projection forming the forward end of the base, said arrow indicating the desired path for the golf ball when pointed toward the target area and with the ball placed upon the ground immediately in front of the arrow head, and anelongated club path finder arm overlying the base and pivotally connected at one end to the arrow head projection for horizontal angular adjustment over the base with respect to the arrow formation, the pivotal connection being closely adjacent the ball path indicated by the center line of the arrow. 1

2. A golf swing guide device as defined in claim 1, and said base having a rear edge lying inwardly of the tail end of the arrow formation and conforming to an arc with a radius extending from the pivotal connection of the club path finder arm with the arrow head, said club finder arm extending rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,208,995 Lyon Dec. 19, 1916 2,180,170 Richards Nov. 14, 1939 2,189,613 Paulsen Feb. 6, 1940 2,606,026 Young Aug. 5, 1952 2,652,251 Molinar Sept. 15, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,930 Great Britain July 24, 1911 

